1960 Medal Pony Exp Founders Plat

Coin Details

Description

The 1960 Pony Express Founders platinum medal is an exceptional rarity within the centennial medal program — a piece struck in the most precious of the traditional medal metals. Platinum's extreme density, high melting point, and scarcity make it the most expensive common precious metal, and platinum medals have always been produced in the smallest quantities of any medal composition. This piece honors Russell, Majors, and Waddell, the founders of the Pony Express. Platinum medals occupy the absolute pinnacle of any commemorative medal series. The metal's natural white luster, superior to silver in its resistance to tarnish, gives the medal a permanent brilliance that requires no maintenance. Platinum's density means that even a modestly sized medal has a substantial, satisfying weight that immediately communicates the value of the metal to anyone who handles it. The choice of platinum for a Pony Express founders medal reflects the highest possible honor for the men whose financial gamble created an American legend. The production of a platinum Pony Express medal in 1960 was an unusual and ambitious choice. Platinum was not widely used in American medallic art, making this piece a genuine rarity on multiple levels — by composition, by subject matter, and by the limited production run that platinum's cost necessitated. This medal represents one of the most desirable items in the entire Pony Express numismatic series.

Rarity Notes

Platinum medals are extremely rare in American numismatics. This is among the rarest pieces in the Pony Express centennial series, produced in single-digit quantities.

Cross References

PCGS #75932; Pony Express Founders — Russell, Majors, and Waddell; Centennial 1860-1960; Platinum